China connection

Sino-Polish trade turnover is systematically growing. While the value of Polish imports from China amounted to $5.5 (zł.16.2) billion in 2005, the value of Poland's exports increased six times from $97 (zł.286) million in 2000 to $590 (zł.1,742) million last year. Currently Poland sells raw materials, chemicals and machines. Metals concern KGHM, Poland's largest exporter to China, sends eight percent of its production there. The trade deficit with China is growing, but the Economy Ministry is looking for ways to change this.

Deputy Economy Minister Andrzej Kaczmarek says that Poland should identify products that are not present on the Chinese market and promote them there. "We often ask ourselves what it could be. We have our own expertise and strategy which is currently being developed. Today we have prospects in the mining industry," says Kaczmarek. Other industries include metals, aircraft, energy and agriculture.

According to the Chinese Ministry of Trade, between 1994 and 2002 Poland invested $24.2 (zł.71.5) million in the country. Currently, about 850 Polish companies are present on the Chinese market. Although many of them complain about the conditions, only every 10th Polish firm records losses there. Many of them have decided to transfer production to China.

Yuan Guisen, China's Ambassador to Poland, says that a lot of Chinese investors are interested in coming to Poland. "More and more Chinese are coming to Poland.  An urgent step still to be made is to increase contacts and information exchange between Poland and China. As far as attracting Chinese investments to Poland, I believe Poland should be more flexible when it comes to visa validity," adds Guisen.